If you’re a business owner or decision-maker, you’ve probably come across the terms “managed services” and “managed IT services.” While they may seem similar at first glance, they serve distinctly different purposes. And when it comes to business security and efficiency, knowing the difference could be pivotal.
This article will break down what managed services and managed IT services are, their individual benefits, and why the distinction matters significantly in safeguarding your business. By the end, you’ll understand why businesses like yours are leaning toward managed IT services as the smarter, more secure solution.
What Are Managed Services?
Managed services refer to the outsourcing of general tasks or responsibilities to a third-party provider. These tasks might not necessarily be IT-related but can include a wide array of operational needs such as accounting, HR, payroll, or building maintenance.
Essentially, these services are a way for businesses to hand off responsibilities that aren’t part of their core expertise, allowing internal teams to focus on higher-value activities.
Examples of Managed Services Include:
- Building Maintenance Services: Hiring professionals to handle cleaning, repairs, and upkeep.
- Payroll Management: Third-party payroll processing companies handle payments and tax filings.
- Helpdesk Services: Customer support that fields and resolves complaints or queries.
While these services provide convenience, the scope is generally broad, not specialized. They cater to operations that are essential but often lack depth in specified fields like IT or cybersecurity.
What Are Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services are a specialized subset of managed services focused entirely on providing IT support, security, and optimization. These services are handled by experienced IT professionals who work closely with a company to maintain, monitor, and protect its IT infrastructure.
The goal is not just to maintain the status quo but to strategically align your IT operations with your business goals.
Core Components of Managed IT Services:
- 24/7 Monitoring: Constant oversight of your systems to identify and resolve issues before they escalate.
- Cybersecurity and Risk Management: Advanced tools and expertise to protect your systems from breaches and ensure compliance with industry regulations (such as HIPAA).
- Strategic IT Consulting: Ensuring your IT strategy aligns with scalability, optimization, and future business plans.
- Helpdesk Support: A team of experts ready to resolve issues quickly via phone, email, or chat.
- Backup and Disaster Recovery: Safeguarded data and recovery protocols that ensure business continuity in case of emergencies.
Managed IT services are proactive. Providers don’t wait for something to break; instead, they look ahead to mitigate issues before they arise, keeping your business agile, secure, and ready for growth.
Why Does the Specification of Managed IT Services Matter for Business Security?
Trusting your business to a general service provider might work for tasks like payroll or HR, but relying on the same for IT could leave you exposed to significant risks. Cybersecurity threats, for example, are more sophisticated and prevalent than ever.
Here’s why the specificity that managed IT services offer is non-negotiable:
1. General Managed Services May Leave Bigger Gaps for Breaches
While some general managed services do offer basic IT support, their expertise often doesn’t extend to full cybersecurity frameworks or advanced IT monitoring. They might install antivirus software or provide email troubleshooting but fall short when it comes to dealing with multi-layered security concerns such as ransomware attacks, phishing attempts, and advanced persistent threats (APTs). With 91% of cyber breaches starting with a phishing email, this is vital to note.
2. Managed IT Services Offer a Comprehensive IT Defense
A managed IT services provider goes far beyond basic IT troubleshooting. They combine cutting-edge cybersecurity tools, continuous systems monitoring, and expert teams who understand the complexities of IT ecosystems.
Their focus isn’t just on fixing IT problems but on preventing them. With managed IT, your business gains in-depth threat detection, real-time monitoring, and advanced protection against cyber risks that general services simply don’t cover.
3. Expertise on Demand
Managed IT services provide IT professionals at your fingertips. Whether you need immediate help with a system crash or longer-term strategic planning for scaling your operations, managed IT ensures your needs are met by experts with years of experience. This level of service is leagues beyond what most generalized managed service providers can offer.
What Can You Expect From Helixstorm’s Managed IT Services?
If you’re considering making the switch to managed IT services, Helixstorm is here to help. We combine technological expertise with customer-first solutions to deliver everything your business needs to thrive in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.
Here’s what Helixstorm offers as part of our managed IT services:
- Helpdesk and Technical Support: Run into an IT issue? Our friendly and expert helpdesk team ensures prompt resolutions so your teams can get back to business without unnecessary downtime.
- 24/7 Monitoring and Proactive Support: We keep an eye on your systems around the clock, catching and resolving issues before they escalate. It’s like having a virtual security team that never sleeps.
- Risk and Compliance Management: Worried about meeting strict compliance regulations for your industry? We offer risk assessments and compliance-focused strategies to ensure your operations meet legal and regulatory standards.
Take the Next Step Toward Secure, Specialized IT
General managed services might work when you need help managing mundane operations, but when it comes to IT, there’s no room for guesswork. Businesses today demand specialized expertise to stay competitive and secure in the face of evolving threats.
Helixstorm’s managed IT services put proactive monitoring, game-changing security, and strategic value within reach for businesses of all sizes. Want to see how managed IT can transform your operations? Book a meeting with Helixstorm today and get started with a service designed to protect, optimize, and future-proof your business.
Aaron Schneider is the President of Helixstorm, bringing over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. Specializing in cloud computing, business continuity, virtualization, and business technology planning, he helps businesses integrate and adapt new technologies for seamless systems.
